The first Windows-based version of Palm Inc.’s popular Treo will be available to subscribers of U.S. wireless operator Verizon Communications Inc. from Thursday, Palm announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

First announced in September, the Treo 700w is the first version of the handset to run Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Mobile software. Other versions of the Treo, such as the Treo 650, are based on the Palm OS.

The Treo 700w is also the first version of the handset to support CDMA2000 (Code Division Multiple Access 2000) EV-DO (Evolution Data Only) networks, which offers greater bandwidth than the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), and CDMA2000 networks that earlier versions of the handset support.

Weighing in at 6.35 ounces (180 grams) and measuring 2.28 inches by 4.45 inches by 0.91 inches (58 millimeters by 113 millimeters by 23 millimeters), the Treo 700w is based on a 312MHz Intel Corp. Xscale processor, has 128MB of memory, and a 240 pixel by 240 pixel TFT (thin film transistor) LCD (liquid crystal display) screen that supports 65,000 colors. The handset also includes a 1.3-megapixel camera that can take pictures with a resolution of 1,280 pixels by 1,024 pixels and supports video capture.

The Treo 700w has an expansion slot that supports MMC (Multi Media Card) and SD (Secure Digital) memory cards as well as SDIO (SD Input/Output) expansion cards. The phone also has support for Bluetooth and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

The Treo 700w will be available starting from Thursday from Verizon for US$399 after a $100 rebate. To get this price, subscribers must sign a two-year service agreement that includes a voice plan of $39.99 or higher per month and an unlimited data plan for PDAs (personal digital assistants) and smart phones, Palm said in a statement.

The company’s statement did not offer details on when the Treo 700w will be made more widely available.

This story, "CES: Palm's Windows-based Treo to be intro'd Thursday" was originally published by
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